15 Things You Never Knew About Morse Code, Just in Time for Samuel Morse’s Birthday
Morse code has a strange, brilliant history that goes far beyond what most people realize.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Morse code isn’t just a relic of the past. It’s a system that has helped save lives, send secrets, and build entire networks of communication across time. To mark Samuel Morse’s birthday, here are 15 surprising facts that show how deep its impact really is.
1. It Was The Original Way To Text
The Electrical Experimenter on Wikimedia Commons
Long before smartphones and messaging apps, people used Morse code to send short messages across long distances. Telegraph operators could communicate faster than handwritten letters ever allowed. It was the fastest way to deliver news, warnings, and personal messages. In its time, this was cutting-edge communication.
2. SOS Doesn’t Actually Stand For Anything
MihikaSaptarshi on Wikimedia Commons
Many people think SOS is short for something, but it’s not. It was chosen simply because it’s easy to recognize and hard to confuse. The pattern—three dots, three dashes, three dots—stood out clearly during emergencies. Over time, people gave it meanings like “Save Our Ship,” but that came later.
3. Samuel Morse Was A Painter First
Luestling~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons
Before turning to invention, Samuel Morse worked as an artist. He even painted portraits for a living but became frustrated with how slow communication was. After losing a loved one due to delayed news, he shifted his focus to solving that problem. His personal loss led to one of the most important inventions in communication.
4. The Titanic Sent Out Morse Code Distress Signals
Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart on Wikimedia Commons
When the Titanic began to sink in 1912, the crew used Morse code to call for help. Their distress signals reached nearby ships and were received by radio stations on land. Although the tragedy couldn’t be fully avoided, those messages did bring faster assistance. It’s one of the most famous real-life uses of Morse code.
5. There Is A Genre Of Music Based On Morse Code
shankar s on Wikimedia Commons
Some musicians have experimented with using Morse code rhythms in their work. By converting letters into dots and dashes, they’ve created sound patterns that form the basis of songs. These pieces are often electronic or experimental, highlighting how flexible Morse code can be. It shows that even a technical system can cross into art.
6. The Military Still Trains People In Morse Code
Ke an on Wikimedia Commons
Despite all the modern tools available today, some military branches still teach Morse code. It can work in low-signal conditions where other communication fails. It’s quiet, effective, and doesn’t require complex equipment. In high-stress environments, that simplicity can be a major advantage.
7. Prisoners Have Used It To Communicate In Captivity
Realpaperforest on Wikimedia Commons
Some prisoners of war have used Morse code to send messages when speaking was impossible. One well-known case involved an American officer blinking the word “TORTURE” during a forced interview. Observers caught the message and realized what was really happening. It was a rare but powerful way to call for help without making a sound.
8. Google Made A Morse Code Keyboard
F1jmm on Wikimedia Commons
In 2018, Google added a Morse code keyboard to its Gboard app. It allowed users to type using dots and dashes instead of regular letters. They also included a game to help people learn how to use it. It was a brief but creative way to bring the code back into popular use.
9. Morse Code Has Helped People With Disabilities Communicate
Fotokannan on WIkimedia Commons
Morse code can be a life-changing tool for people with very limited mobility. Users can form letters and full sentences with just one button or a blinking pattern. Devices using eye-tracking or single-switch inputs can be programmed with the code. It opens the door to communication that would otherwise be impossible.
10. There Is A World Record For Morse Code Speed
Queensland State Archives on Wikimedia Commons
Professional Morse code operators can type much faster than the average person thinks. The current record is over 75 words per minute, all done manually. These operators train for years to reach that level of skill, which requires not just memory but extreme focus and fast reflexes.
11. Pilots Had To Learn Morse Code Until Recently
Harrison, John Thomas on Wikimedia Commons
Until 2006, Morse code was required for anyone seeking a pilot’s license in many countries. It was seen as an essential backup if radio systems failed. Pilots had to memorize codes and understand signals from navigation aids. Today, it’s optional, but for decades, it has been a core part of aviation training.
12. Cold War Radio Stations Used It To Send Hidden Messages
Directorate of Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force on Wikimedia Commons
During the Cold War, some shortwave radio stations included Morse code in their broadcasts. These signals were used to send information to intelligence agents. The messages were often buried inside what sounded like music or noise. Ordinary listeners had no idea the broadcasts contained secret content.
13. Amateur Radio Operators Still Use It
Jay Henry Mowbray on Wikimedia Commons
Despite all the modern tech options, many amateur radio enthusiasts continue using Morse code. It can travel longer distances and cut through interference better than voice signals. For many, it’s a hobby that combines skill, history, and challenge. They keep the tradition alive through regular communication and contests.
14. Morse Code Jewelry Exists With Hidden Messages
W.carter on Wikimedia Commons
Some jewelry makers now design bracelets and necklaces that spell out words in Morse code. Each dot and dash is represented by a bead or a bar, arranged in a specific order. Only someone who knows the code would recognize the message. It adds a personal layer of meaning to a simple accessory.
15. Some People Are Still Teaching It For Emergency Use
Ank Kumar on Wikimedia Commons
Groups focused on survival training still teach Morse code in case of total communication failure. They believe that Morse will still work if satellites and the internet go down. All it takes is a tapping device or a flashlight. It’s not common, but it’s part of serious disaster preparation plans.